Modular closed louver panel system



Feb. 6, 1968 -R. A. D. SCHWARTZ ETAL 3,368,070

MODULAR CLOSED LOUVER PANEL SYSTEM File e 15, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HQ m4 INVENTOR. SCHWARTZ FE/FFEP f M AT OP/VE Y5 1968 R. A. D. SCHWARTZ ETAL3,368,070

MODULAR CLOSED LOUVER PANEL SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 15, 1965INVENTOR. ROBE/9T A. SCHWAQTZ PH/L/P W. FE/FFER United States Patent3,368,070 MODULAR CLOSED LOUVER PANEL SYSTEM Robert A. D. Schwartz,Oakland, and Philip W. Pfeilfer, San Mateo, Calif., assignors to UnitedLighting and Ceiling Co., Oakland, Calif., a corporation of CaliforniaFiled June 15, 1965, Ser. No. 464,122 5 Claims. (Cl. 240-9) ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE A translucent or transparent lighting panel incorporatingadjacent cell members and a planar backing sheet enclosing one end ofthe cells. The backing extends laterally beyond the cells on twoadjacent edges of the panel and is omitted from the end cells on theother two adjacent edges of the panel so that a plurality of panels maybe connected together to form a continuous ceiling or the like ofuniform design.

This invention relates to louvered panel systems of the type used aslight transmitting media such as in the ceiling or walls of a room and,more particularly, to an improved modular panel of this type, and ahanger and attachment clip therefor.

In the lighting of rooms, particularly larger rooms such as are found inoffice and industrial buildings, it is now common to provide a falseceiling below light fixtures to provide, in effect, a luminous ceiling.These false ceilings are often in the form of open grillework or louverpanels which, when the ceiling is viewed at an angle, act to reduce thebrightness of the light and shield or hide the light fixtures from viewwhile permitting direct passage of light to the room below. For manyinstallations, though, it is more desirable to utilize a closed louverpanel system for the ceiling wherein a transparent or translucentbacking sheet or membrane is provided on the upper side of the louverpanels in order to diffuse or retract the light reaching the room to beilluminated. Such closed louver panels provide a ceiling in which thelight fixtures are completely hidden from view to provide a trueluminous ceiling eifect, and by which, by proper design of the sheetbacking, the intensity and quality of the light can be closelycontrolled.

In general, however, closed louver panel ceilings have not been acceptedby the art since, with present designs, the joints between adjoiningpanels have not been sufficiently good to prevent the leakage of directlight to the area being illuminated. This leakage of light makes thejoints highly noticeable and visible. In order to reduce thisundesirable leakage of direct light, closed louver panels have in thepast been made in unusually large sizes to thereby reduce the number ofjoints. However, besides not completely eliminating the existence ofpoints and the resulting leakage of light, the large panels are not asversatile as smaller ones in the provision of ceilings of diiierentdimensions and shapes. In another presently employed method ofeliminating the leakage or passage of direct light through joints, ametal lattice or grid structure is provided upon which the panels arelaid with the grid structure covering the joints. Besides beingexpensive, though, these grid structures are themselves unsightly andgive the ceiling a sectional appearance.

The instant invention provides a modular closed louver panel capable ofbeing assembled with a plurality of like modular panels to provide alarger continuous panel having no visible joints and through which nodirect light is permitted to pass. Further, the modular panel interlockswith adjacent panels to assure proper and stable assembly of a pluralityof the panels. Clip means are also provided for securing adjoiningmodular panels together,

and hanger means are provided to facilitate hanging the resulting closedlouver ceiling below light fixtures. Both the clip means and the hangermeans are especially adapted to prevent the direct passage of lightthereabout through the ceiling.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a modular closedlouver panel which is especially designed to be easily assembled with aplurality of like modular panels into a large continuous panel having novisible joints.

A further object of the invention is to provide a modular closed louverpanel which can be assembled with a plurality of like panels into largerpanels of various dimension and peripheral shapes.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a modular closedlouver panel which is adapted to transmit light and which can beassembled with similar panels to provide a larger continuous lighttransmitting panel having no visible joints between the panels and noother apertures through which direct light can pass.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved clipfor securing adjoining closed louver panels together in an eflicaciousand simple manner and which is designed to not permit direct passage oflight through the panels at their point of securance.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a hanger systemcapable of hanging a closed louver panel beneath a light fixture withoutcausing an undesirable aperture to result in the panel through whichlight from the light fixture can directly pass.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It

is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by thesaid drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a modular closed louver panel of theinvention positioned for engagement with a similar modular panel whichis only fragmentarily shown;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the panels depicted in FIGURE1, taken on a plane indicated by the line 2-2;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the panels of FIGURE 1 afterhaving been joined to form a larger, continuous panel;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of the panels of FIG- URE 3 taken along aplane indicated by the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 and depicting the jointbetween the panels;

FIGURE 5 is a reduced perspective view of panels of the inventionsecured together and supported beneath a light fixture;

FIGURE 6 is a reduced plan view of another embodiment of a modular panelof the invention having a different louver or grill work configuration.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a clip especially designedto facilitate securing adjoining modular panels together to form acontinuous larger panel;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the adjoining panels of FIGURE3 taken on a plane indicated by the line 8-8 of FIGURE 3 and depicting aclip of the invention securing two modular panels together;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a hanger system forsupporting a closed louver panel beneath a lighting fixture, anddepicting its relationship to a panel;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the hanger of FIGURE 9.

A modular closed louver panel of the invention is gener-ally indicatedin FIGURE 1 by the reference numeral 11. Such panel comprises a membraneor sheet backing 12 having a decorative grill Work or louver structureon the side thereof to be exposed to the room being lighted. In theembodiment depicted in FIGURE 1, the louver comprises a plurality ofadjacent and adjoining cylindrical cells 13. Backing 12 and cells 13 aredesirably molded integrally as one piece and can be of any of thematerials commonly utilized as louver or light panel structures. Forexample, they can be of transparent or translucent plastic. Whilebacking 12 is depicted as being a flat planar sheet, it is to beappreciated that it can be of other forms, such as a prismatic sheet.

As mentioned before, closed louver panels of the general type to whichthe invention relates are known. However, in the past, it has not beenpossible to join adjacent panels together with assurance that the jointswill not leak light or otherwise be visible. The instant modular panel,however, is especially adapted to have similar panels joined to everyedge thereof to form a larger continuous panel without the joints beingvisible. Because of this, the modular panel can be made of a size muchsmaller than the size that most panels are, and thus, the modular panelof the invention affords great versatility in providing continuouspanels of desired shapes and sizes. To provide the desired joining ofpanel 11 to similar panels, such panel has extensions 14 protruding fromtwo adjacent edges of the panel which generally conform to the patternof the louvers of the panels to which it is to be joined. In theembodiment described, these extensions are actually continuations of thebacking 12 and their configurations generally conform to the cylindricalcell pattern 13. That is, the extensions 14 have convex semi-circularconfigurations which are adapted to mate with concave semi-circularrecesses 16' in another identical panel 11'. As best seen from FIGURE 2,the edge portions of the recesses 16' will be directly above the midpoint of the inside cylindrical Walls 17 of the exterior cells 13' ofpanel 11 when the cell is arranged beneath a light fixture. Thus, whenthe panel 11 is adjoined to panel 11' with extensions 14 mating withrecesses 16, the joints between the extensions 14 and the recesses 16are shielded by the cylindrical cell walls 17'. If the joint itself isnot completely opaque, therefore, the cell walls 17 prevent light frompassing directly to the area to be illuminated. Because of thisshielding, the existence of minor imperfections in the joint due topractical limitations imposed by manufacturing or expansion orcontraction of the panels is immaterial. A shoulder 18 is provided aboutthe inner periphery of each of the exterior edge cells to mate with theundersurface of the extensions 14 to assure that the joint is notvisible without the necessity of making cell walls 17 unduly thick.Shoulder 18' also provides a relatively large surface in contact withthe undersurfa-ces of the extensions to facilitate securing of thepanels together thereat, if desired, by any of the conventional means.For the sake of uniformity in appearance, each of the cells of thepanels 11 and 11' has a shoulder 18 and 18', respectively, about itsinner periphery.

Besides preventing the leakage of light at the joints between thepanels, the mating of extensions 14 with recesses 16' interlocks thepanels and assures proper and stable alignment therebetween. That is,the panels only fit together with the cells of one aligned with thecells of the other, and when the cells are so aligned the panels areprevented from lateral movement relative to one another.

The outside edge of the cylindrical walls 17' of panel 11, and thesimilar outside cylindrical walls 17 of panel 11 are flattened so thatwhen the panels are moved together with these cylindrical walls, themeeting points of the walls define a wall of a thickness equal tothickness of the walls of the other cylinders 13 of the panels.

i This further assures that the joint between adjoining panels is notvisible.

The modular panels 11 and 11' are shown in adjoining relationship inFIGURES 3 and 4. Since the joint therebetween is not readilydiscernible, it has been indicated by the arrow marked C. It is apparentfrom these figures that when the panels are so joined, they appear to beone continuous panel.

The other two adjacent edges of panel 11 have recesses 16 thereinidentical to the recesses 16' of panel 11. These recesses are adapted tomate wth extensions on other panels (not depicted) identical to theextensions 14. It is thus apparent that a plurality of panels can beadjoined together to provide a large panel of a desired size and shape.In this regard, it is to be noted that panels can be secured to panel 11on every side thereof.

While the panel 11' is identical to the panel 11, it is to beappreciated that this is not necessary. In some instances it might bedesirable to provide a checkerboard pattern for the composite closedlouver panel. To do so the panel 11 can be joined with panels ofdissimilar louver design. Then, the extensions 14 of panel 11 willgenerally conform to the design of the louver of the dissimilar panelsso that the joints between the extensions and recesses conforming to thelouvers will be shielded by the louver cell walls. Likewise, thedissimilar panels will have extensions thereon conforming to therecesses 16 of panel 11.

Another panel 18 of the invention having a different louver design orpattern is depicted in FIGURE 6. In this panel, the louver is comprisedof adjoining diamondshaped cells 19. Extensions 21 protruding from thispanel have a configuration designed to mate with recesses on a panelhaving similar diamond shaped cells. This panel itself has such recesses22 generally conforming to the louver pattern along the two edgesthereof not having extensions 21. It is, of course, to be appreciatedthat louver patterns other than the diamond-shaped and cylindrical cellspatterns described are also within the scope of the invention.

While, if desired, modular panels of the invention can be securedtogether in any conventional manner such as by means of an adhesive orhigh frequency welding of shoulders 18 to extensions 14, the inventionincludes a clip 23 which facilitates assembly of a plurality of thesepanels in a rapid and simple manner. This clip is shown in perspectivein FIGURE 7 and comprises a U portion 24 for gripping together adjacentlouver cells of two ad oining panels. Further, means are provided on theclip for securing it to the panels. More particularly, one of the legsof the U portion extends upward to form a cylindrical shank 26, and hasa horizontally extending bar 27 integrally secured to its free end. Thematerial of clip 23 is desirable similar to, and of the same color, as,the

material from which the modular panels are made. When it is of such amaterial, the clip is unobtrusive and does not form light shadows.

Clip 23 is also desirably flexible in order to facilitate its securanceto the panels. As shown in FIGURE 8, when the clip is assembled to thepanels, U portion 24 grips between its legs the adjacent cylindricalwalls of adjoining modular panels, and shank 26 extends through anaperture 28 within an extension 14 of panel 11. The aperture 28 iscircular and of a size to just receive shank 28 so that light cannotdirectly pass thereabout to the area being illuminated. The bar 27 has aflat under surface portion which abuts against the upper surface 29 ofbacking 12 of panel 11. In this manner, bar 27 and shank 26 act to holdthe U portion of the clip in engagement with the aforesaid adjacent cellWalls.

Desirably, the clip 23 is inserted into the aperture 28 of each of thepanels at the place of manufacture. Then, when the panels are assembledat the installation, they can be easily and simply secured together.Because of the resiliency of the clip, the U portion can be snapped overthe adjacent cell walls of adjoining panels by rotating the clip tosecure them together. When the clip is in such securing position, itshould be noted that shank 26 engages shoulder 18' of panel 11' andthereby urges the upper portion of cell wall 17 against the adjacentcell wall to assure tight relationship between the panels. The bar 27acts to prevent vertical movement of the panel 11' with respect to panel11.

In providing a conventional closed louver light transmitting panelbeneath a lighting fixture, it is now common to utilize a lattice framework since the use of a conventional hanger results in an undesirableaperture in the panel. The instant invention includes as an importantpart thereof a hanger which obviates the necessity of these latticestructures and does not result in an aperture in the panel. A preferredembodiment of the hanger system of the invention is depicted in FIGURES9 and 10. Such hanger system includes a hanger rod 31 adapted at one endto be secured to a structure such as an upper ceiling (not shown) abovethe position at which the light diffusing panel is desired to besupported. The depending free end 32 of such rod is threaded asdepicted.

A hanger member 33 is provided for securing the panels to hanger rod 31.This hanger member includes a web 34 having alternating threaded halfcylinders 36 for threadably receiving end 32 of hanger rod 31. Twoflexible legs 37 depend from web 34 and are adapted to extend through acylindrical aperture 38 within panel 11. Aperture 38 is through backing12 coaxially with one of the cylindrical cells 13. The periphery of thisaperture corresponds to the periphery of the shoulder 18 within thecell.

Each of the legs 37 has an enlarged foot portion 41 which provides aninwardly extending flange 42 for engagement with a discoidal retainingmember 43. Such retaining members 43 is of a size to fit within thecylindrical cell below aperture 38 and abut against the shoulder 18. Ithas notches 44 in its edge adapted to receive the legs 37. When the legsare so received within notches 44, the retaining member acts to spreadthe legs apart, and the shoulders 42 abut against the retaining memberto hold it in position. A nub 46 is provided on the inner surface ofeach leg to assure that the retaining member cannot move upward withrespect to the legs and, in this manner, come out of position. It shouldbe noted that the exterior side configurations of the feet portion 41will coincide with the periphery of the retaining member when it is sosupported.

The manner in which the hanger system is assembled to support panel 11should be apparent from the above. The flexible legs of hanger member 33are brought together and are inserted through aperture 38 from above thepanel. To facilitate holding of the legs together as they are soinserted, a pin 47 is provided on one of the legs over which the otherleg can be hooked. After the legs are inserted, they are released fromone another and retaining member 43 is attached thereto as shown inFIGURE 9. Then the panel and hanger can be raised to a hanger rod 31,and the hanger rotated, such as by means of a tab 48 on retaining member43 to threadably receive the rod 31. It should be noted that tab 48 isprovided by forming the retaining member with an indentation 49 on oneside thereof. In this manner the retaining member can be made of uniformthickness so that no undesirable shadows are caused thereby.

It is to be noted that shoulder 18 of the panel will rest upon theperiphery of retaining member 43 and thus the retaining member acts toclose off the aperture 38. In this regard it should be noted that boththe retaining member 43 and shoulders 51 on the leg feet 41 providesupport for the panel. Furthermore, it is possible to level the heightof a plurality of panels supported by hangers of the invention, bysimply rotating the individual hangers by means of the retaining memberand thereby vertically moving its associated panel. In this regard it isto be noted that the retaining member can be turned over so 6 that theindentation is on the undersurface thereof, and provides a notch for ascrew driver to facilitate such adjustment. Hanger 33, and disc 43should be of a light transmitting material corresponding to that of thepanels in order that they will be unobtrusive and not cause undesirableshadows.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the formingof large continuous panels for ceilings, it is to be appreciated thatpanels formed with modular panels of the invention can be used in otherlighting structures such as in a light fixture. Further, while theconcept of the invention has been described with respect to lighttransmitting panels, it is to be realized that it is especiallyapplicable to opaque panels utilized for various purposes such as in adecorative wall structure. The invention provides the advantage ofpermitting various size and shapes of decorative composite panels insuch a structure without the joints between adjoining modular panelsbeing visible.

What is claimed is:

1. A modular panel comprising a louver structure formed of a pluralityof adjacent open cells of uniform size and having a gene-rallyrectangular periphery, a continuous planar backing sheet formedintegrally with said cells on one side thereof, two adjacent edges ofsaid sheet having recesses conforming to the pattern of said cellsdisposed along said edges to thereby provide for a row of open cellsalong said edges, and the other two adjacent edges of said sheet havingplanar extensions protruding therefrom conforming to the pattern of saidcells for mating with corresponding recesses on a similar panel with thejoints therebetween shielded by walls of the cells of such other similarpanels, whereby said panel is joinable with said similar panels toprovide a larger continuous panel without said joints being visible.

2. A closed modular louver panel comprising a louver structure formed ofa plurality of abutting open cells having a planar sheet backing on oneside thereof, said backing having recesses along one edge conforming tothe pattern of said louver cells with a row of cells being open alongsaid edge, and said backing having extensions protruding from anotheredge of said panel having edge configurations conforming to the patternof said louver cells for mating with corresponding recesses on a similarpanel with the joint therebetween shielded by cell walls of the louverstructure of such other similar panel, whereby said panel is joinablewith said similar panel to provide a larger continuous panel withoutsaid joints being visible and with the backings defining a substantiallycontinuous coplanar sheeting.

3. A modular closed louver panel comprising a louver structure having aplanar light transmitting sheet backing on one side thereof and having agenerally rectangular periphery, two adjacent edges of said backinghaving recesses conforming to the pattern of said louver with thelouvers positioned along said edges being open, and the other twoadjacent edges of said backing having protruding coplanar extensionshaving edge configurations conforming to said louver pattern andextending beyond the louvers positioned along said other two edges, saidextensions mating with corresponding recesses on other similar panels incoplanar relationship with the joints between the backings of matingpanels intersecting and being shielded b walls of the louver structuresof such other similar panels, whereby said panel is joinable with saidsimilar panels to provide a larger continuous panel without said jointsbeing visible or permitting the direct passage of light therethrough.

4. A closed louver panel assembly comprising a first modular panelhaving a louver structure with a continuous planar translucent sheetbacking on one side of said louvers and recesses within said backingalong one edge thereof conforming to the pattern of said louverstructure, a second modular panel having a louver structure with acontinuous planar translucent sheet backing on one side thereof andcoplanar extensions protruding from one edge of said backing conformingin plan configuration to the recesses in the first panel, and a clippassing through an aperture in one of the extensions of the second paneland securing an edge portion of the louver structure of v5 said secondpanel to an edge portion of the louver structure of said first panelwith said extensions mating with said recesses to thereby form a largercontinuous panel with the respective backings defining a coplanar sheetwith the joint therebetween being hidden by the thickness of m passingthrough an aperture in one of said panels, and a retaining membersupported by the free ends of the legs in engagement with the edges ofsaid aperture and having an edge configuration generally conforming tothe edge configuration of said aperture for closing said aperture.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1958 Baker et al. 240-785/1960 Blitzer 240-9 JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner.

NORTON ANSHER, Examiner.

15 M. H. HAYES, Assistant Examiner.

